Latest news with #HostageFamiliesForum
Miami Herald
16-05-2025
- Politics
- Miami Herald
At least 55 killed in Israeli strikes, Palestinian authorities report
TEL AVIV, Israel - At least 55 bodies have been recovered by rescue teams in Gaza, following the latest Israeli airstrikes, Palestinian authorities reported on Friday. Dozens remain trapped under rubble, a spokesman for the Hamas-controlled civil defence said. The Palestinian news agency Wafa reported that more than 10 houses were hit in the city of Beit Lahia and the Jabalia refugee district. It said that Israel used war planes, helicopters, drones and naval vessels in the attack. Ambulances are currently unable to reach the area due to destroyed roads, it added. On social media footage circulated purportedly showing images of the attacks' victims. The information could not initially be independently verified. Israel's military stated, upon request, that it was investigating the report. The Israeli news site ynet, citing security officials, reported that the massive attacks in recent days were a preparation for the deployment of additional troops. The Israeli government recently announced plans to expand its operations in the Gaza Strip. On Thursday, Palestinian reports indicated that dozens of people were killed in Israeli attacks. Many relatives of hostages still held by Islamist groups in the blockaded coastal territory fear that the military action could also endanger the lives of the captives. The Hostage Families Forum once again called on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to enable an agreement with Hamas for a ceasefire and the release of the hostages. "We are in dramatic hours that will decide the future of our loved ones, the future of Israeli society and the future of the Middle East," it said. --------- Copyright (C) 2025, Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Portions copyrighted by the respective providers.
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
At least 55 killed in Israeli strikes, Palestinian authorities report
At least 55 bodies have been recovered by rescue teams in Gaza, following the latest Israeli airstrikes, Palestinian authorities reported on Friday. Dozens remain trapped under rubble, a spokesman for the Hamas-controlled civil defence said. The Palestinian news agency Wafa reported that more than 10 houses were hit in the city of Beit Lahia and the Jabalia refugee district. It said that Israel used war planes, helicopters, drones and naval vessels in the attack. Ambulances are currently unable to reach the area due to destroyed roads, it added. On social media footage circulated purportedly showing images of the attacks' victims. The information could not initially be independently verified. Israel's military stated, upon request, that it was investigating the report. The Israeli news site ynet, citing security officials, reported that the massive attacks in recent days were a preparation for the deployment of additional troops. The Israeli government recently announced plans to expand its operations in the Gaza Strip. On Thursday, Palestinian reports indicated that dozens of people were killed in Israeli attacks. Many relatives of hostages still held by Islamist groups in the blockaded coastal territory fear that the military action could also endanger the lives of the captives. The Hostage Families Forum once again called on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to enable an agreement with Hamas for a ceasefire and the release of the hostages. "We are in dramatic hours that will decide the future of our loved ones, the future of Israeli society and the future of the Middle East," it said.
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Israel approves plan to take over Gaza indefinitely
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Monday that his security cabinet had agreed to an "intensive" escalation of the 19-month war in Gaza, and his country was "on the eve of a forceful entry" and indefinite occupation to destroy Hamas. The cabinet separately agreed to set up food-distribution "hubs" protected by U.S. contractors, potentially ending a two-month Israeli blockade of all humanitarian assistance into the enclave. Netanyahu's new plan calls up 70,000 reservists to gradually take over all of Gaza, "flatten any buildings that remain standing and displace virtually the entire population of 2 million people to a single 'humanitarian area,'" Axios said. It would kick in if Hamas doesn't agree to a peace deal by May 15, when President Donald Trump concludes a three-day visit to the Middle East. Netanyahu's far-right allies said the plan would lead to a permanent takeover of Gaza. The government is "choosing territory over hostages," Israel's Hostage Families Forum said, and going "against the will" of the Israeli people, over 70% of whom oppose a major Gaza operation and favor a peace-and-hostage deal. Trump "does not wish to be seen as a loser on an issue that he declared he would resolve" and wants the Gaza situation "resolved by the time he's in the region," a person familiar with White House deliberations told The Washington Post. The success of his dealmaking in the Gulf Arab countries "lies through not having this bleeding sore of Gaza."
L'Orient-Le Jour
05-05-2025
- Politics
- L'Orient-Le Jour
Hostage Families Forum says Israel's new plan 'sacrifices' hostages.
The Hostage Families Forum, the largest association of relatives of hostages in Israel, accused the Israeli government on Monday of 'sacrificing' hostages in Gaza following the approval of an expansion of the Israeli offensive in the Palestinian territory. This plan merits the name "Smotrich-Netanyahu plan" because it "sacrifices the hostages," according to a statement from the association, referring to the influence of far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government. "This morning, the government admits it is choosing the territory over the hostages, contrary to the wishes of more than 70% of the population," the text adds.
Jordan News
30-04-2025
- Politics
- Jordan News
Sara Netanyahu Embarrasses Her Husband in Official Meeting - Jordan News
Sara Netanyahu embarrassed her husband, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, during an official meeting on Monday, when he stated that 24 hostages were believed to still be alive in Gaza. Sara then whispered to him, saying "less", prompting Netanyahu to correct himself: 'Up to 24 hostages.' اضافة اعلان According to The Times of Israel, Sara Netanyahu's remark sparked outrage among the families of the hostages on Tuesday and fueled public debate across Israel. Public and Political Reactions During Israel's Independence Day ceremony last night, Prime Minister Netanyahu gave a lengthy speech highlighting Israel's successes against Hezbollah, Syria, and Iran. However, the Hostage Families Forum accused Netanyahu of spreading fear among families already plagued by uncertainty, asking in a statement: "What did you mean by 'less'? Do you know something we don't?" The forum demanded that the Prime Minister clarify his wife's statement and disclose any new or classified information regarding the condition of the hostages. Official Clarification In response, an Israeli negotiation team member later confirmed that 24 hostages are currently alive and held in Gaza. This figure, the source said, is the same official count provided by the Hostage and Missing Persons Coordinator to the mediators during negotiations, according to The Times of Israel. Media Backlash and Security Concerns Michael Shemesh, a journalist with Israel's public broadcaster KAN, questioned in a post on X (formerly Twitter): "How did Sara Netanyahu gain access to classified information, and then disclose it to the public in a video released by the Prime Minister's Office?" Ongoing Negotiations Negotiations between Hamas and Israel, mediated by Egypt and Qatar, are still ongoing in efforts to reach a ceasefire agreement in Gaza and secure the release of the hostages.
